Carnival to launch Vista in 2016, its 1st new ship in 4 years and the cruise line's largest

Carnival Cruise Lines on Thursday unveiled details about its first new ship launch in four years, Carnival Vista.

The ship will also be the company's largest vessel when it debuts in 2016, with a capacity of 3,936 people (assuming two guests per cabin).

The ship is due to launch May 1, 2016, in Trieste, Italy. It will spend five months in Europe before coming to New York in November 2016.

The new ship will be key to helping Carnival restore its image following a dismal few years that included ship breakdowns, trip cancellations and depressed ticket prices and revenue.

This is Carnival's first all-new vessel since Carnival Breeze launched in 2012. Carnival Sunshine debuted in 2013 but it was a refurbishment of an older ship. Vista's first few months at sea will also offer Carnival's first European itinerary in three years.

Carnival says the ship will offer the first IMAX theater at sea, with first-run movies showing at the same time they are shown in IMAX theaters on land.

The ship will include a ropes course, jogging track and outdoor fitness area among other sports-oriented attractions, as well as a 455-foot-long (139 meters) multi-colored tube slide called a Kaleid-o-Slide, and SkyRide, a cycling ride suspended from a track.

The ship will also have an onboard beer brewery and Latin-themed Havana Bar and pool, with staterooms dubbed Havana Cabanas featuring private outdoor patios.

A Family Harbor area will offer more options for parents and kids, including staterooms with access to a secluded lounge that will serve as a hangout for families with large-screen TVs, games and concierge desk.